Davis Webb's rise within the NFL coaching ranks led him to an in-house promotion to become the Broncos offensive coordinator. It will also have him in Bo Nix's ear on game days.
Sean Payton announced on Tuesday from the NFL Scouting Combine that Webb will be the primary play-caller for the offense beginning in 2026 -- a duty previously held by the Broncos head coach.
"I think it's going to help our team and I'll do whatever it takes to support him," Payton said. "It's not something I would do if I didn't think it will help our team."
Payton added that he will be involved with what the Broncos will be doing offensively, including calling some plays. Asked why he ultimately decided to hand over the play-calling reigns, Payton said it has to do with the "extremely talented" 31-year-old OC being "quicker."
"It's only if there's someone that you feel like it is good enough to do that," he said, per the Denver Post's Luca Evans.
Webb was previously the Broncos pass game coordinator/quarterbacks coach since arriving on Payton's staff in 2023. He's helped oversee Nix's steady rise as the Broncos starting quarterback over the past two seasons, which culminated in Denver's appearance in the AFC Championship Game in 2025 -- a loss in which Nix was absent for due to a broken ankle he suffered in the Broncos' Divisional Round win over Buffalo.
Several teams recognized Webb's handiwork during the 2026 hiring cycle as the Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills and Las Vegas Raiders interviewed him for head coaching openings. After the Broncos fired Joe Lombardi, Payton promoted Webb to OC and seemingly warded off an exit elsewhere.
Payton added that Nix wasn't involved in his decision to pass the play-calling torch to Webb, a decision he'd been mulling over during the 2025 season.
It signals a big shift for Payton, who's called plays from the sidelines for the majority of his 18-season head coaching career.
Entering his first season as an OC in the NFL, Webb is poised to have a major impact for the Broncos in 2026.
PROGRAMMING NOTE: NFL Network and NFL+ will have live coverage of the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine beginning Feb. 26.
